Month: December 2012

The monthly meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held at the office at 5 PM with all members present. Office manager, Sheri Leavenworth was also present, replacing Superintendent Chris Wiseman who was on vacation.

The October minutes were approved.

The warrants were signed.

October coliform results and MTBE results were “0.”

The following information was included in the Superintendent’s report:

PUMPAGE

October Pumpage 2012- 12,461,000 2011- 11,536,000

……………One new service was installed and one was replaced.

……………No new information is available regarding the proposed generator installation at Station #5.

After the final version of the new personnel policy was reviewed, Mr. Barnicle made a motion to adopt the new Cotuit Fire District, Water Department Employee Handbook, dated 10/20/12, which will serve as the manual until such time that it is amended or revised by the Commissioners. Mr. Calise seconded the motion and it was so voted.

Discussion on the agreement with Open Cape was tabled until the December meeting.

The Board has yet to be informed of the closing date for the 671 Main Street easement.

Discussion continued on the newly proposed security system in conjunction with the fiber optics installation. Discussion will continue in December.

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation.

From 11/1/12 to 11/30/12 we took twenty-seven (27) samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria. Three (3) of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one (1) sample may do so.

What should I do?

You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at l (800) 426-4791.

What does this mean?

This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems. Further testing shows that this

problem has been resolved.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in oursubsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified you immediately.

What happened? What was done?

On 11/19/12 eight (8) samples were taken and one (1) came back positive for total coliform at the Main Street tank. On 11/21/12 a repeat sample was taken at the Main Street tank and at designated upstream and alternate downstream locations. The repeat sample came back positive for total coliform and the upstream and downstream samples came back absent. On 11/23/12 the Department took the Main Street tank off line and chlorinated it. On 11/26/12 the Department emptied and refilled the tank and retested it. The Department was notified on 11/27/12 that the samples were absent of total coliform. On 11/28/12, the Department put the Main Street tank back on line, took a repeat sample and upstream and downstream samples. On 11/29/12, The Department was notified that the upstream sample came back positive for total coliform. The Department began chlorinating the same day. On 11/30/12 repeat samples were taken at the Main Street tank and upstream and downstream locations. All samples came back absent of total coliform. The Department stopped chlorinating on 12/12/12.